Experts & Opinions
Feb 01, 2023
Business leaders are increasingly asking their marketing teams to innovate upon key performance metrics—that’s how we create, assess and use measurements to drive superior outcomes. Consumer preferences and trends today are evolving at a rapid speed and frequency. To keep pace, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is needed for organizations to collect data, analyze and extract actionable insights.
Event marketers have long been siloed, operating under the assumption that events were the sole critical touchpoint in a buyer’s journey. That’s no longer the case, as event leaders… more
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Jan 25, 2023
Event marketing looks different than it did three years ago. Virtual and hybrid events have proven their merit and reset attendee expectations. Yet, for all the changes, one fact has remained consistent: It doesn’t matter if an event is offline or online. What matters is the experience it provides.
Many event marketers forget this truth; they assume that events have to “wow” attendees in every way. Unsurprisingly, event marketers panic because they don’t have the resources to keep up with these imagined standards. But although audiences might be awed by expensive theatrics, technology and… more
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Jan 18, 2023
From Dec. 11-13, Expo! Expo!, the annual conference and exhibition of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), was held in Louisville, Ky. My co-founder, Oliver Rowe, and I made the decision to exhibit at the event, as we felt the association and show organizer audience was right for us. Here are four things we learned from our discussions at the event and its content:
In-Person Is Back—With a Vengeance
Not a single planner we talked to was planning virtual events. Everyone’s inquiries related to their in-person annual conference or education session. This is… more
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Jan 11, 2023
In-person events have returned in full force. From Q1 to Q3 of 2022 alone, in-person events held on Bizzabo’s Event Experience OS saw a 724% increase. More than 98% of event organizers intend to host at least one in-person event by year’s end, and most will have planned at least three events in 2022, according to Bizzabo’s recent survey. With this renewed focus on gathering in person, marketers are folding events of all kinds into their demand generation efforts to nurture audiences, grow revenue and drive business outcomes. Read on for three key ways to use events to improve your marketing… more
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Jan 04, 2023
The atmosphere and conversations at the 2022 TSNN Awards, held in November at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, were a welcome transition from the recovery and survival mentality of 2021, as the focus was on the future. Hot topics among the group of hundreds of top trade show, conference and for-profit event organizers included DEI, returning to revenue best practices and tactics to overcome new challenges for enhancing the on-site experience while keeping expenses in check.
However, the most poignant question of the week, in my opinion, was asked by Rich Stone, CEO of EXPOCAD, who asked the… more
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Dec 28, 2022
As we at District Marketing (formerly Fixation Marketing) mark the end of our first year in business, review the performance of our clients’ events and look at changes and opportunities in this post-pandemic environment, we are thinking a lot about trends.
So, having dug through some campaigns and surveyed our staff, we thought we’d share a list of some trends we’re seeing in trade show and event marketing.
Navigating chaos
A topline consideration in discussing trends is the ongoing challenge of predictive analysis, goal setting and pacing and strategy development following the… more
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Dec 08, 2022
In an atmosphere when people are pressured by time and money to ensure they invest in being at an event that delivers the ROI they want to see – do you know what your event’s Unique Value Proposition is? Do you have it clearly defined?
Now more than ever, it’s critical that your teams, especially sales and marketing, are able to articulate exactly why someone needs to the spend dollars to be on your show’s exhibit floor or attend the event overall.
Inc. Magazine describes a UVP as: “A unique value proposition (UVP), or unique selling proposition (USP), is a concise, straight-to-the-point… more
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Dec 07, 2022
A lingering pandemic in China and elsewhere. War in Europe. Inflation rates not seen in a generation in major markets. Droughts, hurricanes and record temperatures. It’s certainly not “business as usual” as we write the closing chapter for 2022. And 2023? Not all will be black and white, and economists are using endless types of grey in their outlooks for the next year.
What will this mean for our industry? As with every year, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) team has been listening and chatting with our members and industry leaders from all around the world to get… more
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Nov 30, 2022
After two and a half years of constant adaptation for ever-changing needs in the world of events, it seems we are settling into the “new normal.” We’re thrilled to be working with clients to create meaningful events that celebrate being together again, and it’s inspiring to see the dedication to excellence within our industry.
This new normal also brings changes to contract negotiations for meeting and event professionals on both sides of the table. Where planners used to be most concerned about food and beverage minimums and room rates, now risk, impossibility and cancellation clauses… more
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Nov 23, 2022
What started as an app to share videos of friends and family dancing and lip-syncing to popular songs and other mediums has quickly become an all-in-one app for trending news, tutorials and connecting with brands in new and interesting ways. The social media platform is a great example of how communication and marketing have changed in just a few short years, especially as more users spend time on the app. According to a Data.AI study, TikTok is expected to reach 1.5 billion monthly active users by the end of this year.
Some marketers have taken notice. According to a Hootsuite… more
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Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.